World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. Martin was the youngest surviving child of Michael O’Meara and Margaret (nee Connors). He was born on a small farm at Lissernane in the parish of Lorrha, county Tipperary, Ireland. He emigrated to Australia in about 1912. He worked as a sleeper cutter in South Australia and Western Australia, before enlisting with the 16th Battalion Australian Imperial Force on August 19th 1915. After a period of training in Egypt, Martin arrived at the Western Front in July 1916. Martin’s Battalion was immediately involved in the battle of Pozieres, which was part of the battle of the Somme. Over the course of four days of fighting at Mouquet Farm, just outside Pozieres, Martin’s courageous actions earned him the Victoria Cross, the highest military decoration that can be awarded to armed forces of the countries of The Commonwealth. It is thought that he saved the lives of at least twenty men, and one officer described him as the most fearless and gallant soldier he had ever seen. Martin’s Victoria Cross citation reads; “For most conspicuous bravery. During four days of very heavy fighting, he repeatedly went out and brought in wounded officers and men from “No Man’s Land” under intense artillery and machine gun fire. He also volunteered and carried up ammunition and bombs through a heavy barrage to a portion of the trenches which was being heavily shelled at the time. He showed throughout an utter contempt of danger and undoubtedly saved many lives.” He was awarded the Victoria Cross by King George the Fifth at Buckingham Palace on July 21st 1917. Martin was subsequently promoted to Corporal and then Sergeant. He continued to serve on the Western Front until August 1918, and was involved in many major battles including the battle of Messines and the battle of Bullecourt, and he was wounded on three occasions. On his arrival back in Australia at the end of 1918, Martin’s mental health broke down completely, and he spent the rest of his life in hospital. In his will, he bequeathed a sum of money to be used to restore an ancient abbey in Lorrha. The abbey was considered to be beyond restoration, so instead some of the money was used to make improvements to the Catholic church in Lorrha, and the remainder was put towards the building of Redwood school, Lorrha. (bio by: The O'Meara Family)